Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that midfielder Arthur Melo will remain with the club for the rest of the season.
Klopp decided to bring the 26-year-old to Anfield on a season-long loan deal from Juventus over the summer, with the Reds lacking options in midfield amid an injury crisis.
However, the Brazilian has suffered with his own injury issues since arriving on Merseyside and has featured for only 13 minutes for the senior team, coming on as a substitute in the 4-1 Champions League defeat against Napoli last month.
Arthur took part in Under-21s matches against Rochdale and Leicester City towards the backend of September, but the midfielder then suffered a setback in his recovery from a thigh injury and has since undergone surgery.
The former Barcelona man now faces between three and four months on the sidelines before he can return to training.
© Reuters
It is thought that Liverpool have no plans to sign Arthur on a permanent basis next summer, even though the allegedly have a £32.5m (€37.5m) option to buy the midfielder.
Recent reports have also suggested that the Reds have an option to terminate Arthur's loan deal early, but Klopp has dismissed such speculation and insists the Brazilian will remain at Anfield for the rest of the season.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Leeds United, Klopp said: "No [we will not cut his loan deal in January]. It's a long-term injury. When he's back then we will think about it again but in the moment it's too far away.
"I have no idea how long it will be but it will be long. It's a serious injury."
© Reuters
Arthur is not the only player who Klopp cannot call upon this weekend, as Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Joel Matip and Naby Keita all remain on the sidelines with injuries.
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, who missed the midweek Champions League win over Ajax, is a minor doubt with a knee problem, but they have been boosted by the return of Thiago Alcantara, who has recovered from an ear infection.
"With Hendo we have to wait. He was a bit stiff yesterday but I expect him to be okay," Klopp added. "Thiago will return too."
Liverpool, who lost 1-0 at Nottingham Forest in their last Premier League fixture, currently sit eighth in the table, five points behind the top four and 12 points adrift of leaders Arsenal.
